MASS Design Group

Proud to share that Principal and Director of the Public Memory and Memorials Lab at MASS, Jha D Amazi is on the Eames Institute Curious 100 list! Also excited to see a number of familiar faces among this incredible list of creators, builders, and connectors. Check out the full list of honorees: https://lnkd.in/ex6B-8Tz

"Each choice we make is an opportunity to advance progress toward a future where people and the planet flourish. The responsibility of architects is not just to build boldly or radically but to build wisely and with an awareness of the human and ecological systems we operate within and endeavor to serve." - Alan Ricks Read the full Op-Ed piece, "Patrik Schumacher presents a stark and exclusionary vision of the state of architecture" written by Alan Ricks on Dezeen: https://lnkd.in/epbQCvyT

Join us in Vermont for our 2025 Summit! https://lnkd.in/ey8YRAH9 Organised by: Ace McArleton Jacob Deva Racusin New Frameworks Brian Sandford James Kitchin MASS Design Group Billy Craig

Ever wondered why some brands feel more personal than others? It’s not just great marketing—it’s emotional intelligence. The brands you genuinely connect with, remember your preferences, understand your needs, and deliver authentically. As AI advances, the human touch becomes even more valuable. Emotional design plays a crucial role in making interactions feel genuinely human. “Emotional design is the practice of creating environments, objects, and experiences that evoke meaningful connections, foster well-being, and cultivate a sense of belonging,” says Alan Ricks, Co-Executive Director and Founding Principal of MASS Design Group.?It goes beyond aesthetics and function to consider how people feel in a space and how those feelings shape their interactions, behaviors, and memories. Emotional design is undergoing a radical transformation, believes Paqui Lizana? MBA, MTH, Co-Founder of BrilliantFailures.xyz.?Traditional approaches focused on creating positive user experiences, but research shows that one in three young adults now turn to AI for relationship advice. This isn’t just about creating good interfaces—it’s about designing systems that help us understand and grow from our emotional experiences safely and securely. For Shahira Fahmy, Founding Principal of Shahira Fahmy Architects - SFA, the goal is to establish a deep connection between the user and the product, making the interaction effective, memorable, and engaging.?Fahmy adds emotional intelligence, which enables designers to understand and anticipate user emotions, crafting experiences that resonate with users and fostering trust, engagement, and long-term loyalty. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dbmXhCdi

On January 30th, we gathered with the Southside Bethlehem community for an exciting milestone in the dream of a new community center! This was the culmination of work with the City of Bethlehem, led by ATKIN OLSHIN SCHADE ARCHITECTS (AOS Architects), Taggart Associates (Donna G. Taggart) and Ideas and Action.? At the meeting, MASS unveiled the powerful "Community Anthem," featuring the voices of residents sharing their hopes and visions for the future. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their ideas, helping shape a space that truly reflects our shared values. We look forward to what’s next on this journey together!? #CommunityCenter #SouthsideBethlehem #massdesigngroup #aosarchitects https://lnkd.in/eMvbxxQM

Be part of the fourth annual Design for Freedom Summit to gain critical insights on efforts to accelerate the Design for Freedom movement on an international scale. Don't miss a compelling panel discussion featuring perspectives from such esteemed thought leaders and experts as: The Right Honourable The Baroness Young of Hornsey OBE; Alan Ricks, Founding Principal & Co-Executive Director, MASS Design Group; and Anastasia Vynnychenko, Senior Program Manager and Head of Ho Chi Minh Sub-Office, IOM - UN Migration. The panel will be moderated by Elaine Mitchel-Hill, Design for Freedom International Lead, Grace Farms. Protecting human rights in the building materials supply chain is now an imperative. Effective and lasting change requires that we each take meaningful steps to help end the suffering of our fellow human beings. Attend the 2025 Design for Freedom Summit on March 27th at Grace Farms to join hundreds of individuals committed to addressing this human rights violation and creating an ethical supply chain. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eUzPcphf AIA CES Approved 5 LU | HSW SARA CES Approved 5 LU | HSW

Looking forward to hearing from Katie Swenson among other industry leaders tomorrow at 5:30 PM EST!

Excited to share, MASS's Francisco Colom Jover will be delivering the Keynote Presentation at Forum 12—Maine’s annual conference for sustainable building, innovation and climate-ready design!?????? ??Portland, ME | Feb 27–March 1 ?? Register:?phmeforum.org #phmeForum #Forum12 #PassiveHouse #climateConference

Descending into subterranean civic infrastructure for cultural events feels decidedly Old World. But MASS Design Group has brought the experience to upstate New York by transforming a decommissioned 3 million-gallon water tank into a unique performing arts space. The Poughkeepsie Cistern, completed in 1923 and buried under a hill in the city’s Northside neighborhood, is one of approximately six such containers scattered across the United States. After aboveground replacements were installed in 2017, the unreinforced concrete structure was drained in 2021 and work began to find ways to utilize its 36,500 square feet of vaulted ceilings, scalloped floors, unexpectedly exceptional acoustics, and year-round climate of 68 degrees After four performances in 2024, including one in November from Site-Specific Dances (pictured), the project won a National Endowment for the Arts grant and MASS is helping establish an operating entity to lease the city-owned cistern and raise approximately $6 million to improve and program it in perpetuity, to anchor future development. https://lnkd.in/gVr_BTDq Photo ? Iwan Baan

Exciting Progress on the Caddo Child Care Center! After more than three years of dedication, this essential project is nearing completion. Its facade—designed with natural shakes—honors the traditional thatched forms of historic Caddo structures. As one of the first new construction projects for the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma in decades, this Child Care Center will provide a vital space where Tribal youth from Caddo and surrounding Tribal Nations can learn, grow, and connect with their cultures. This project is a testament to the Caddo Nation’s resilience—securing federal awards, local contracts, and launching their own construction company to build the center, creating jobs and strengthening the community. Yet, despite being?70% completed, the tribe continues to face federal funding challenges. The Caddo Nation Chairman and Tribal Council remain steadfast in advocating for the Tribe’s needs with the U.S. government, its agencies, and fellow Tribal nations. Slated for completion later this spring/early summer, this Child Care Center represents a profound investment in the future of the community. Caddo Nation’s leadership ensures a stronger, more resilient future for generations to come. We’re honored to be part of this journey—stay tuned for more updates as we approach the finish line! #CaddoNation #NativeResilience #FutureGenerations #IndigenousEducation #IndigenousArchitecture #CulturalDesign #CommunityBuilding #EarlyChildhoodEducation